LISTERINE

Listerine Historic, and up to date, Evidence

There is good evidence that Listerine is an effective first shop stopper of viral infection.

Listerine uses 4 essential oils, eucalyptol 0.091%, thymol 0.063%, menthol 0.042% methyl salicylate 0.060% in an ethanol base. (oil of eucalyptus, oil of thyme, oil of corn mint, oil of wintergreen) in an ethanol base. The formula was first concocted by Dr. Joseph Lister, in 1865, for use in creating an antiseptic chamber for surgery. Two scientists Dr. Joseph Lawrence and Pharmacist Jordan Lambert promoted the solution as a safe cleansing dental treatment. Listerine earned a reputation as a germicide, such that it was recommended by authorities during the Spanish Flu.

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From that catastrophic pandemic an interesting story survived. Upon being exposed to the Spanish Flu, Art McLaughlin, doused his family inside and out with Listerine and credited it with saving them. He never quit using it.

https://www.cdc.gov/publications/panflu/stories/cure_seggerson.html

Most likely based on such evident success, “From 1921 until the mid-1970s, Listerine was also marketed as preventive and remedy for colds and sore throats. In 1976, the Federal Trade Commission ruled that these claims were misleading, and that Listerine had “no efficacy” at either preventing or alleviating the symptoms of sore throats and colds. Warner-Lambert was ordered to stop making the claims, and to include in the next $10.2 million worth of Listerine ads specific mention that “Listerine will not help prevent colds or sore throats or lessen their severity.”^[10] The advertisement run by Listerine added the preamble “contrary to prior advertising”.^[11]^Wikapedia

Despite the defamation, the product has continued to maintain its popularity as a gargle/mouth rinse and breath freshener. And in recent trials, it has proven to be indeed capable of deactivating viruses, including coronaviruses. It is now in trials and is coming out as a front runner against the SARS CoC-2 virus.

Direction on the bottle: “Adults and children 12 years and older: Rinse full strength with 20 ml for 30 seconds twice a day. Gargle to relieve sore throats due to colds.”

Trials forthcoming:

The oral cavity, an essential part of the upper aerodigestive tract, is believed to play an important role in the pathogenicity and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The identification of targeted antiviral mouth rinses to reduce salivary viral load would contribute to reducing the COVID-19 pandemic. While awaiting the results of significant clinical studies, which to date do not exist, the commercial availability of mouth rinses leads us to search among them for reagents that would have specific antiviral properties with respect to SARS-CoV-2.